Plastic clamp with hub and platter for use in disc drive

ABSTRACT

A disc assembly, a method for producing the disc assembly, and a corresponding disc drive for recording and reading digital information is disclosed. The disc assembly is assembled without using mechanical fasteners and adhesives. The disc assembly includes a platter sandwiched between a plastic clamp and a hub that engages with the clamp. The hub has a hole through which a stake is inserted. The stake is heated to form a rivet-like structure that holds the clamp to the hub. Alternatively, the clamp may be pressed into a receptacle, such as a channel, to hold the clamp to the hub. The clamp may have a circular bevel surface to self align the clamp to the platter as it is affixed to the hub. The corresponding disc drive includes a spindle motor, transducer and actuator. Methods for producing the disc assembly are disclosed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to reading and recording digital information, andmore particularly, to disc drive devices.

BACKGROUND

Disc drives that read and record digital information on a disc-shapedinformation storage medium are in wide-spread use. Such discs includecompact discs (CDS), read-only-memory compact discs (CD-ROMs), rigidmagnetic discs, and flexible magnetic discs. Rigid magnetic discsinclude both fixed discs and removable discs that are housed incartridges. An example of a removable cartridge having a rigid discassembly is the JAZ™ cartridge and an example of a removable cartridgehaving a flexible magnetic disc assembly is a ZIP™ cartridge, both ofwhich are produced by the assignee of the present invention, IomegaCorporation, Roy, Utah.

FIG. 4 (prior art) illustrates a conventional rigid disc assembly 110 athat includes hub assembly 112 and platter 114 a. Hub assembly 112includes a metallic hub 116 a, clamp 118, and multiple rivets 120.Platter 114 a is held between surfaces of the clamp 118 and hub 116,which are held together by rivets 120. Unfortunately, rivets 120 maycause distortion of platter 114 a because of dimensional imperfection ordis-uniformity in producing or assembling the components. Even if thecomponents are produced with tight manufacturing and assemblytolerances, platter distortion may still be a problem because of thesensitivity of the reading and recording process to even small amountsof distortion. Specifically, distortion of platter 114 a as small as anorder of magnitude of 1.0×10⁻⁶ inch may cause interruption of thereading and recording process. The industry trend toward increasingareal density of stored information will likely diminish the acceptableamount of distortion.

Furthermore, platter 114 a may slip with respect to hub 116 a upon shockto disc assembly 110. Such slip may cause the center of platter 114 tobe misaligned with the center of spindle motor 122 a, which leads todifficulty in track following by the heads. Although removablecartridges are naturally more prone to shocks that may cause such slip,fixed discs (not shown) may also be subject to such shock, especiallyduring shipping and installation. Moreover, the tight tolerances andseveral steps required to produce hub assembly 112 result in high costof discs. Users of information storage discs are sensitive to cost andthe industry is cost competitive.

FIG. 5 (prior art) illustrates another conventional disc assembly 110 bthat includes a platter 114 b and a hub 116 b. Platter 114 b is affixedto a mating surface 117 of hub 116 b by an adhesive. Not only does usingadhesive have the disadvantages of platter 110 a discussed above, butusing adhesives causes additional difficulty in the assembly process.For example, adhesives can out-gas and deposit back onto the discs inthe drive and cause head stiction and flying height problems. Alsoimprecise or dis-uniform application of the adhesive may weaken thejoint and the adhesive may inadvertently be spilled or splattered ontothe information-bearing surface, which may interrupt reading andrecording information, and may also damage the heads. The disadvantagesof disc assemblies 110 a and 110 b described herein apply to both rigidand flexible discs, and to fixed and replaceable discs.

It is desirable to provide a disc assembly, and associated disc drive,that diminishes slipping of the platter if subject to shock, that holdsthe platter uniformly around its inner circumference to eliminatelocalized distortion near clamp rivets, and that is less costly and moreeasily produced without extraordinarily tight tolerances of thecomponents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Data storage disc assemblies that, among other attributes, are simple toproduce, that eliminate or diminish slippage when subjected to shock,that eliminate distortion from fasteners, and that are produced withoutadhesives are provided. The embodiments of the disc assemblies of thepresent invention include a clamp having a contact portion and aprotruding member, a hub having a receptacle and a center hollow, and aplatter having a center aperture. The receptacle receives the protrudingportion to affix the clamp to the hub through the center aperture of theplatter. Although the platter contains magnetic media, or alternativelyoptical media, for recording information, the hub and clamp contactportion contact the platter in an area that lacks information storage.The clamp has a feature that enables it to be affixed to the hub withoutmechanical fasteners and without adhesives, as well as self-aligningfeatures. Furthermore, because the hub and clamp hold the plattersubstantially uniformly around the perimeter of the center aperture,angular distortion is minimized.

In a first embodiment, a stake on the underside of a clamp is insertedinto a void in a hub. The clamp is forced against the hub, depressing acenter portion of the clamp, until the stake protrudes through the void.The stake is heated to flatten its head, thereby forming a rivet-likestructure that affixes the clamp to the hub. A bevel portion of theclamp aligns the platter with respect to the clamp. This self-aligningfeature forces the centers of the clamp, hub, and platter intoalignment. Therefore, the platter is joined to the hub, and eventuallyto a spindle motor, by a simple method that has few steps, and thatforms a simple device that has few parts.

Similarly, a second embodiment of the present invention includes aself-aligning bevel feature. A clamp of this embodiment is pressed intoan annular channel formed in a hub to form a press fit. In a thirdembodiment, the clamp is similarly inserted into a hub channel in apress fit. However, rather than a bevel surface, the third embodimenthas a flat, horizontal surface to axially contact the platter surfaceand a flat, vertical surface to radially hold a rim face of theplatter's center aperture.

The present invention encompasses methods for forming the discassemblies described herein without using fasteners or adhesives.Further, the present invention encompasses a disc drive comprising aspindle motor for cooperating with the disc assembly, a transducer forreading and recording digital information on the disc, and an actuatorfor positioning the transducer. Such a disc drive may include the discassembly according to the present invention as an integral part of thedrive, or the disc drive may be capable of receiving the disc assemblyas a part of a removable cartridge.

The disc assemblies and methods according to the present inventionsecurely join the hub, clamp, and platter together without mechanicalfasteners and without adhesives. As used in this specification and inthe appended claims, the term “mechanical fasteners” broadly includesrivets, pins, screws, bolts and the like; and the term “adhesive”includes any conventional or novel adhesive, flux, glue, grease, sealantand any other substance that possesses adhesive properties.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a view of a first embodiment of a disc assembly according tothe present invention;

FIG. 1B is a view of a first embodiment of a disc drive employing thedisc assembly of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is a view of the disc assembly of FIG. 1A during its assembly;

FIG. 2A is a view of a second embodiment of a disc assembly according tothe present invention;

FIG. 2B is a view of a second embodiment of a disc drive employing thedisc assembly of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C is a view of the disc assembly of FIG. 2A during its assembly;

FIG. 3A is a view of a third embodiment of a disc assembly according tothe present invention;

FIG. 3B is a view of a third embodiment of a disc drive employing thedisc assembly of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is a view of the disc assembly of FIG. 3A during its assembly;

FIG. 4 (Prior Art) and FIG. 5 (Prior Art) each are a view of aconventional disc assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention encompasses an information storage disc assembly,a method of producing the information storage disc assembly, and acorresponding disc drive. The figures illustrate three embodiments ofthe present invention arranged such that FIGS. 1A, 2A, and 3A show theassembled disc assembly; FIGS. 1B, 2B, and 3B show the disc assemblyengaged with a spindle motor, transducer, and actuator to form a discdrive; and FIGS. 1C, 2C, and 3C show the corresponding disc componentsas they are about to be assembled, which is especially pertinent to thedescription of the method for producing the corresponding discassemblies of FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 3A.

Referring specifically to FIG. 1A to illustrate a first embodiment ofthe present invention, a disc assembly 10 a for recording and readingdigital information is provided that includes a clamp 12 a, a hub 14 a,and a platter 16 a. Clamp 12 a, which preferably is circular, includes astake 18, a heat-deformed head 20, a depressed center portion 22, and aself aligning contact portion, such as bevel surface 24 a. Preferably,heat stake 18 has a tapered tip 50, which is shown in FIG. 1C. Bevelsurface 24 a may be disposed between two short vertical surfaces forstrength and ease of manufacturing, as shown in FIG. 1A.

Hub 14 a includes a hub flange 25 a, a center hollow 26 a, a top plate28, an inner wall 34 a, an outer wall 35 a, and a receptacle, such as avoid 30, which is shown in FIG. 1C. Void 30 may be formed by a holethrough top plate 28, and preferably includes a chamfer surface 32 onthe underside of the top plate 28.

Center hollow 26 a is preferably integrally formed with hub 14 a byinner wall 34 a. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/835,437, filed Apr.9, 1997, entitled “A Shutterless Data Recording Cartridge and Drive ForUsing Same”, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/833,781, filed Apr.9, 1997, entitled “A Disc Hub For a Removable Cartridge and SpindleMotor For Using Same,” describe a disc drive and spindle motor,respectively of the type that may be employed by the present invention.Both of these patent applications are assigned to the assignee of thepresent invention and are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

Platter 16 a includes a substantially planar top surface 36 a, asubstantially planar bottom surface 38 a, an inner rim surface 40 a, anda center aperture 42 a. Because the platter is essentially unchangedthroughout the embodiments described herein, a description of platter 16b and platter 16 c is omitted from description of the correspondingembodiments.

In its assembled state, heat-deformed head 20 fills void 30 to affixclamp 12 a to hub 14 a. Flange 25 a is pressed against bottom surface 38a, and bevel surface 24 a is pressed against top surface 36 a, becauseof the compressive force created by the insertion of heat stake 18 andtop plate 28, and particularly by heat-deformed head 20 and chamfersurface 32. The manufacturing techniques employed to form heat-deformedhead 20 will be understood by those familiar with such manufacturing.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a disc drive thatemploys disc assembly 10 a is provided. Referring to FIG. 1B, a discdrive is shown in an engaged position with center hollow 26 a. Clampmagnets 52 anchor hub 14 a to spindle motor 46, according to well-knownmethods. In addition to spindle motor 46, the disc drive according tothe present invention includes a conventional transducer 48 that iscapable of reading and/or recording digital information stored onsurfaces 36 a and 38 a of platter 16 a, and a conventional actuator 49capable of positioning the transducer 48. It is understood that anyconventional transducer 48 and actuator 49 are encompassed by thepresent invention. Moreover, although FIG. 1B shows the spindle motor ofthe type described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/833,781,(Attorney Docket No. IOM-9415), it will be clear to those skilled in theart that the present invention may be employed with spindle motorshaving other geometries. Further, for convenience, a description oftransducer 48 and actuator 49 are omitted from the description ofsubsequent embodiments.

The present invention includes a method for producing a disc assembly 10a. Referring particularly in FIG. 1C, platter 16 a is placed onto hub 14a such that bottom surface 38 a contacts hub flange 25 a. This step willlocate a center of void 30 substantially near the center of centeraperture 42 a, although platter 16 a may be placed onto hub 14 a withoutprecise tolerances. Clamp 12 a is placed opposite hub 14 a such that anouter periphery of clamp 12 a contacts platter 16 a. Heat stake 18 isaligned with void 30. The tapered tip 50 of heat stake 18 is insertedinto void 30 of top plate 28 at this stage of assembly. A center portionof clamp 12 a is forced toward hub 14 a, thereby inserting heat stake 18through void 30 and clamping platter 16 a between clamp 12 a and hub 14a. As clamp 12 a is forced toward hub 14 a, bevel surface 24 a is urgedagainst platter 16 a. Specifically, bevel surface 24 a is urged againstthe corner formed by rim face 40 a and top face 36 a.

Throughout this specification and the appended claims, the designationtop surface 36 a, when used with respect to contacting a bevel surface,will include the corner portion of platter 16 a that is formed by rimface 40 a and top surface 36 a. Because the diameter of clamp 12 a islarger at the top of bevel surface 24 a than at its bottom, forcingclamp 12 a downward causes bevel surface 24 a to force platter 16 a to aposition that is in substantial alignment with the center of clamp 12 a.A center portion of clamp 12 a is further depressed until depressedcenter portion 22 is created, as shown in FIG. 1A. When clamp 12 a is inits fully inserted position, stake 18 is heated to form heat-deformedhead 20. Preferably, heat-deformed head 20 substantially fills void 30.Chamfer portion 32 of top plate 28 thereby forms a rivet withheat-deformed head 20 to anchor clamp 12 a to hub 14 a.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, which illustrate a secondembodiment of the invention, a disc assembly 10 b for recording andreading digital information is provided that includes a clamp 12 b, ahub 14 b, and a platter 16 b. Clamp 12 b has an annular shape, the crosssection of which includes a protruding portion 54, a self aligningcontact portion, such as bevel surface 24 b, and an inner surface 56.Hub 14 b includes a hub flange 25 b and a receptacle, such as a channel58 that is formed by inner wall 34 b and outer wall 35 b. A centerhollow 26 b is essentially the same as center hollow 26 a, therefore theabove description of center hollow 26 a of the first embodiment appliesto disc assembly 10 b.

A method for forming disc assembly 10 b, which will be described withreference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, is encompassed by the present invention.Platter 16 b is positioned on hub 14 b such that bottom surface 38 brests on hub flange 25 b. Protruding portion 54 is inserted into channel58. Inner surface 56 of protruding portion 54 preferably has a diameterthat is slightly less than the diameter of channel 58—specifically, lessthan the outer diameter of inner wall 34 b—so as to cause clamp 12 b tobe disposed in channel 58 in a press or interference fit.

The diametral dimensions of inner surface 56 and channel 58 will varyaccording to the materials used, the thicknesses of the parts, thetolerances with which the components are manufactured, the method ofassembly, the desired degree of clamping force, and like variables, aswill be understood by those familiar with such mechanical devices. Theinner diameter of the inner surface of 56 and the outer diameter ofinner wall 34 b will preferably be fabricated to produce a light pressfit.

Similar to bevel surface 24 a of the first embodiment, bevel surface 24b self-aligns platter 16 b substantially around the center of clamp 12 band hub 14 b because the diameter of bevel surface 24 b enlarges asclamp 12 b is forced farther into channel 58, which forces outward onsurface 36 b. At its fully-inserted location, clamp 12 b tightly holdsplatter 16 b between bevel surface 24 b and hub flange 25 b, and clamp12 b is tightly held to hub 14 b by the press fit therebetween.

Referring specifically to FIG. 2B, according to another aspect of thepresent invention, a disc drive that employs disc assembly 10 b isprovided. This disc drive is similar to that described with reference toFIG. 1B, except disc assembly 10 b is employed rather than disc assembly10 a.

Referring to FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C to illustrate a third embodiment ofthe present invention, a disc assembly 10 c includes clamp 12 c, a hub14 c, and a platter 16 c. Clamp 12 c has a substantially annular shape,the cross section of which forms an “L” shape that includes a flangemember 60 and a protruding portion 62. Protruding portion 62 includes anouter contact surface 65 and a self aligning contact portion that isformed by a substantially cylindrical inner contact surface 66 having atapered end. Flange member 60 has a substantially flat flange surface 64that is preferably substantially perpendicular to contact surface 66.

Hub 14 c includes a hub flange 25 c, a center hollow 26 c, a centerplate 70, and a channel 72 that is formed by a hub outer wall 68 and aninterior face 74 of hub flange 25 c. Platter 16 c includes a top surface36 c, a bottom surface 38 c, an inner rim surface 40 c, and a centeraperture 40 c. Center hollow 26 c is similar to center hollow 26 a,b inthat the lower, exterior profile of hub 16 c is similar to hub 16 a,b.Therefore, the description of center hollow 26 a of the first embodimentapplies to disc assembly 10 c.

When clamp 12 c is fully inserted into channel 72 of hub 14 c, as shownin FIG. 3A, flange surface 64 of clamp 12 c firmly contacts top surface36 c of platter 16 c; hub flange 25 c firmly contacts bottom surface 38c of platter 16 c; and outer contact surface 65 of clamp 12 c firmlycontacts rim face 40 c of platter 16 c. Also, inner contact surface 66of clamp 12 c contacts hub outer wall 68 in a press fit. Protrudingportion 62 may be in a press or interference fit with both hub outerwall 68 and platter rim face 40 c. Thus, platter 16 c is firmly axiallyheld between flange surface 64 and hub flange 25 c, and firmly radiallyheld by outer contact surface 65.

A method producing disc assembly 10 c, which will be described withreference to FIGS. 2A and 2B simultaneously with the description ofmaking and using the present invention, is encompassed by the presentinvention. Platter 16 c is positioned on hub 14 c such that bottomsurface 38 c rests on hub flange 25 c. Protruding portion 62 is insertedinto channel 72 while platter 16 c is disposed between clamp 12 c andhub 14 c. Because inner contact surface 66 of clamp 12 c preferably hasa slightly smaller inner diameter than hub outer surface 68, clamp 12 cmay be forced onto hub 14 c when the cylindrical portion of innercontact surface 66 reaches hub outer wall 68. Moreover, as protrudingportion 62 is fully inserted into channel 72, outer contact surface 65contacts rim face 40 c of platter 16 c.

The diametral dimensions of surface 65, surface 66, and wall 68 willdepend on the materials used, the thicknesses of the parts, thetolerances with which the components are manufactured, the method ofassembly, the desired degree of clamping force, and like variables, aswill be understood by those familiar with such mechanical devices.However, the lack of a bevel feature requires tighter tolerances andless interference between clamp 12 c and hub 14 c than in the first andsecond embodiments. Alternatively, materials having greatercompressibility may be employed, or hub outer surface 68 and/or innercontact surface 66 may be formed to produce a slight taper or conicalshape so as to diminish interference therebetween. In an embodimenthaving such taper, lower tolerances are helpful to enhancepredictability and repeatability with respect to flange surface 64 ofclamp 12 c, hub flange 25 c, and platter surfaces 36 c and 38 c.

Clamp 12 a,b,c may be formed of a poly-carbonate material, although anyconventional engineering plastic that possesses a melting point,viscosity, and ductility conducive to forming into heat-deformed stakemay be used. Clamp 12 b,c are preferably formed of an engineeringplastic that possess sufficient mechanical strength and deformationcharacteristics. Clamp 12 a is preferably formed of a thermoplastic.Hubs 14 a,b,c are preferably formed of a low carbon steel according towell known manufacturing processes. Regarding hubs 14 a, 14 b, and 14 c,the present invention encompasses hubs both lacking a top plate andhaving a top plate of various characteristics. A top plate may bebeneficial because it may increase the structural strength of the hub.

Although the present invention is illustrated with respect to a discassembly of the type used in a removable cartridge, the presentinvention is not limited thereto. Specifically, the disc assemblies 10a,b,c, and the corresponding method for producing them, may also beemployed in fixed discs. Furthermore, it is understood that changes maybe made to the embodiments described above without departing from thebroad inventive concepts thereof. Accordingly, the present invention isnot limited to the particular embodiments nor to the theoreticaldescription disclosed, but is intended to cover all modifications thatare within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A disc assembly for reading and recording digitalinformation comprising: a platter having a substantially planar bottomsurface and a substantially planar top surface, and defining a centeraperture; a hub, disposed proximate the center aperture, including areceptacle formed therein and a sidewall forming a center hollow forreceiving a spindle motor, said sidewall forming a substantially annularchannel that forms at least a portion of said receptacle; and a clampcoupled to the platter and opposing said hub, including a self-aligningcontact portion engaged to the platter and a protruding member disposedat least partially within said receptacle to securely couple the clampto the hub without mechanical fasteners, said protruding member beingdisposed in said annular channel in a press fit.
 2. The disc assembly ofclaim 1 wherein the sidewall forms the receptacle and the contactportion includes a self-aligning contact portion.
 3. The disc assemblyof claim 2 wherein the platter is coupled to said clamp and to said hubwithout adhesive.
 4. The disc assembly of claim 2 wherein saidprotruding member is formed of a material comprising a plastic.
 5. Thedisc assembly of claim 2 wherein said hub includes a hub flange disposedaround said hub and coupled to the bottom surface.
 6. The disc assemblyof claim 2 wherein said inner sidewall and said outer sidewall aresubstantially vertical and mutually parallel to form a substantiallyannular channel having a substantially rectangular cross section thatforms at least a portion of said receptacle, said clam protrudingportion having an inner sidewall that urges against the hub innersidewall and an outer sidewall that urges against the hub outer sidewallsuch that the clamp protruding portion is disposed within the receptaclein a press fit.
 7. The disc assembly of claim 1 wherein said protrudingmember has an inner surface and said sidewall has a sidewall innermember, said inner surface and said sidewall inner member coupledtogether in a press fit.
 8. The disc assembly of claim 1 wherein saidself-aligning contact portion includes a bevel surface abutting theplatter.
 9. A disc assembly for reading and recording digitalinformation comprising: a platter having a substantially planar bottomsurface and a substantially planar top surface, and defining a centeraperture; a hub, disposed proximate the center aperture, including asidewall that forms a receptacle therein and a center hollow forreceiving a spindle motor; and a clamp, coupled to the platter andopposing said hub, including a self-aligning contact surface engaged tothe platter and a protruding member disposed at least partially withinsaid receptacle to securely couple the clamp to the hub withoutmechanical fasteners, said protruding member radially abutting theplatter, said clamp including a flange member axially abutting theplatter.
 10. The disc assembly of claim 9 wherein said protruding memberincludes an outer contact surface that radially contacts the platter andwherein said flange member includes a flange surface that axiallycontacts the top surface of the platter, said outer contact surfaceforming at least a part of said self-aligning contact portion.
 11. Thedisc assembly of claim 10 wherein said outer contact surface issubstantially perpendicular to said flange surface.
 12. A disc assemblyfor reading and recording digital information comprising: a platterhaving a substantially planar bottom surface and a substantially planartop surface, and defining a center aperture; a hub, disposed proximatethe center aperture, including a sidewall forming a center hollow forreceiving a spindle motor, a hub flange coupled to the bottom surface,and a top plate coupled to the hub flange; the top plate forming areceptacle void therein; and a clamp, coupled to the platter andopposing said hub, including a contact portion engaged to the platterand a protruding member disposed at least partially within saidreceptacle void to securely couple the clamp to the hub withoutmechanical fasteners, said protruding member comprising a heat-deformedstake.
 13. The disc assembly of claim 12 wherein the platter is coupledto said clamp and to said hub without adhesive.
 14. The disc assembly ofclaim 12 wherein said top plate includes a chamfer surface, disposedopposite said clamp, substantially surrounding said void.
 15. The discassembly of claim 12 wherein said clamp includes a bevel surfacecontacting the platter.
 16. The disc assembly of claim 15 wherein bevelsurface is disposed proximate an outer periphery of said clamp, saidclamp being urged against said hub so as to align the clamp with saidplatter.
 17. The disc assembly of claim 12 wherein said sidewall is aninner sidewall and each one of said inner sidewall and said outersidewall are substantially vertical and mutually parallel to form asubstantially annular channel having a substantially rectangular crosssection that forms at least a portion of said receptacle.
 18. A discdrive for reading and recording digital information comprising: a discassembly including (i) a platter having a substantially planar bottomsurface and a substantially planar top surface, and defining a centeraperture, (ii) a hub, disposed proximate the center aperture, includinga sidewall forming a receptacle and a center hollow, formed by thesidewall, for receiving a spindle motor, and (iii) a clamp, coupled tothe platter and opposing said hub, including a self-aligning contactportion engaged to the platter top surface, and a protruding memberdisposed at least partially within said receptacle and fastenerlesslysecurely coupled to said sidewall, said protruding member being disposedin said annular channel in a press fit; a spindle motor disposed atleast partially within said center hollow of the platter; a transducercapable of reading and recording digital information stored on the discassembly; and an actuator capable of positioning the transducer.
 19. Adisc drive for reading and recording digital information comprising: adisc assembly including (i) a platter having a substantially planarbottom surface and a substantially planar top surface, and defining acenter aperture, (ii) a hub, disposed proximate the center aperture,including a hub flange coupled to the bottom surface; a top plate,coupled to said hub flange, having a void formed therein; and a centerhollow formed in the hub for receiving a spindle motor, and (iii) aclamp, coupled to the platter and opposing said hub, including a contactsurface engaged to said platter top surface and a protruding memberdisposed at least partially within the void and securely coupled to saidtop plate without mechanical fasteners, said protruding membercomprising a heat-deformed stake; a spindle motor disposed at leastpartially within said center hollow of the platter; a transducer capableof reading and recording digital information stored on the discassembly; and an actuator capable of positioning the transducer.
 20. Amethod of forming a disc assembly for storing digital information on aplatter having a substantially planar top surface, a substantiallyplanar bottom surface, and a center aperture, comprising the steps of:aligning a receptacle of a hub with the center aperture proximate thebottom surface; aligning a stake that depends downwardly from a topportion of a clamp with the void formed in a top plate of the hub; andinserting the stake into the void from a top surface side of the platterto clamp the platter between the clamp and the hub without mechanicalfasteners, and deforming the stake to affix the clamp to the hub. 21.The method of claim 20 wherein the step of inserting the protrudingmember is performed without adhesives.
 22. The method of claim 20wherein the step of inserting the protruding member comprises the stepof forcing a bevel surface of the clamp against the platter proximatethe center aperture to concentrically align the platter with the hub.23. The method of claim 20 wherein the step of concentrically aligningthe platter comprises the steps of radially abutting an outer peripheryof the clamp with the platter proximate the outer aperture and axiallyabutting a flange member of the clamp with the top surface of theplatter.
 24. The method of claim 20 wherein the step of deforming thestake includes heating the stake to form a rivet-like structure.
 25. Themethod of claim 20 wherein the step of deforming the stake includesheating the stake to form a heat-deformed head that cooperates with achamfer surface of the hub.
 26. The method of claim 20 wherein the stepof deforming the stake includes forcing a bevel surface of the clampagainst the platter proximate the center aperture to concentricallyalign the platter with the hub.
 27. A disc assembly for reading andrecording digital information comprising: a platter having asubstantially planar bottom surface and a substantially planar topsurface, and defining a center aperture therein; a hub, disposedproximate the center aperture, the hub defining a receptacle thereinthat is substantially concentric with the platter center aperture, saidreceptacle being annular and having a substantially cylindrical innerboundary, and a clamp, coupled to the platter and opposing said hub,including a beveled contact surface on an outer periphery thereof and aprotruding member extending below the contact surface and disposed atleast partially within said receptacle to securely couple the clamp tothe hub in a press fit without mechanical fasteners.
 28. The discassembly of claim 27 wherein said contact surface urges against an innerrim of the platter to align the clamp to the platter.
 29. A discassembly for reading and recording digital information comprising: aplatter having a substantially planar bottom surface and a substantiallyplanar top surface, and defining a center aperture therein; a hub,disposed proximate the center aperture, the hub defining a receptacletherein that is substantially concentric with the platter centeraperture, said receptacle being annular and having a substantiallycylindrical inner boundary, and a ring-like clamp, coupled to theplatter and opposing said hub, including an annular flange portionengaged to the platter top surface and a protruding member extendingdownwardly from the flange portion and being disposed at least partiallywithin said receptacle to securely couple the clamp to the hub withoutmechanical fasteners, said protruding member having an outer surfacethat urges against a rim of the platter and an inner surface that urgesagainst the receptacle inner boundary, whereby the clamp protrudingmember aligns the hub with the platter.